The digestive system performs multiple functions in the body. It is responsible in particular for breaking down food into nutrients, usable energy for the body, and ensuring their passage into the bloodstream so that they can be used by the body. The digestive system is therefore key to good health and enables the production, repair, and control of the body's various functions. The slightest dysfunction of the digestive system can cause digestive transit disorders, stomachaches, headaches, bloating, fatigue, low mood … and prove debilitating in everyday life. So, to facilitate digestion and relieve these minor ailments, today we are introducing aromatherapy, a traditional practice recognized for its benefits on digestion.
Causes of difficult digestion
One of the main causes of poor digestion is poor diet. An excess or deficiency of certain nutrients can create an imbalance leading to poor digestion. Excess sugar can lead to bloating and aerophagia due to excessive fermentation, excess fat can cause episodes of diarrhea, and a lack of fiber can cause constipation. These few examples show the importance of a healthy, balanced diet for good digestion. Obviously, several other factors can destabilize the intestinal flora, such as medication, germs, a food intolerance, a spike in stress or fatigue, a lack of water, or a digestive disease. An imbalance in this intestinal flora, or dysbiosis, could contribute to increased susceptibility to infections, digestive disorders, and food allergies. The most common disorders include heartburn and stomach cramps, regurgitation, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. They are usually benign but can be very uncomfortable. There are simple solutions to promote good digestion. When used correctly and combined with a healthy lifestyle, essential oils can in particular help improve digestion.
Different types of essential oils for soothing digestion
When your digestion is accompanied by fatigue, heaviness, bloating, or transit problems, you can use essential oils in a massage on the stomach or sublingually, depending on the instructions for use of the selected oil. Today, scientific knowledge in aromatherapy gives us access to a wide range of essential oils with effective properties for digestion. These include cholagogic, choleretic, stomachic, digestive, and of course carminative essential oils.
Digestive essential oils
Essential oils intended to support digestion generally have stimulating properties for the entire digestive system and for the production of digestive juices, molecules composed of enzymes that aid digestion. They can therefore stimulate two major organs involved in digestion, the liver and pancreas, whose proper functioning is essential for good digestion. These include essential oils of dill, lemon, mandarin, cumin, and peppermint.
Carminative essential oils
They help eliminate intestinal gas. In fact, they limit its production, usually caused by the fermentation of food in the intestine, while facilitating its expulsion. Among these carminative essential oils , some help combat the spasms associated with the fermentation process, namely flatulence. These include essential oils of lavandin, lemon, cumin, and also cinnamon essential oil.
Stomachic essential oils
They improve digestive function as a whole, particularly by stimulating and regulating stomach function. These include essential oils of ginger, peppermint, tarragon, and cardamom.
Cholagogic and choleretic essential oils
Choleretic essential oils facilitate the secretion of bile by the liver; bile is the fluid that helps with the digestion of fats. Cholagogic essential oils , for their part, help facilitate the evacuation of bile. These oils therefore help detoxify the digestive system and improve intestinal function. Essential oils of caraway, celery, and fennel are cholagogic, while essential oils of dill, caraway, turmeric, fennel, and lemon balm are choleretic.
7 essential oils effective for digestion
Lemon essential oil
It acts as a liver tonic. It is a detoxifier, meaning that it purifies the body and promotes the elimination of toxins. It is also an excellent digestive and carminative that stimulates intestinal secretions, reduces stomach heaviness, and increases intestinal tract motility.
Place 2 drops of lemon oil on half a sugar cube, in a teaspoon of honey, or in vegetable oil.
Peppermint essential oil
This oil has a very powerful refreshing effect and recognized analgesic properties. It acts on stomachaches, nausea, bloating, and digestive heaviness. It is therefore particularly recommended in cases of heavy digestion. It is also detoxifying and stimulates secretions from the liver and pancreas.
Apply peppermint essential oil in a massage on the stomach after diluting it in vegetable oil to prevent skin irritation, or mix honey and 1 drop of essential oil in a glass of water.
Mandarin essential oil
It is often used in cases of difficult digestion because it stimulates the digestive system and promotes intestinal transit. In addition to being antispasmodic, it helps the body expel intestinal gas. It also acts on stress and anxiety by affecting the nervous system as a whole, thereby reducing certain constipation problems or the occurrence of stomachaches.
When digestion becomes difficult, dilute 1 drop of mandarin essential oil in edible vegetable oil.
Cumin essential oil
This essential oil helps facilitate digestion and treat digestive disorders. It is generally beneficial for the stomach because it stimulates gastric secretions that protect the stomach lining from inflammation and burning. It also acts on intestinal peristalsis, thereby promoting bowel movements and preventing constipation. Finally, it helps expel intestinal gas.
Place 1 drop of essential oil on a neutral tablet, dilute it in hot water with lemon, or mix it with vegetable oil to apply as a massage to the abdomen.
Ginger essential oil
Known for its anti-nausea and anti-vomiting properties, ginger is also a good anti-inflammatory for the digestive lining. As a result, it is used to combat intestinal pain and inflammatory bowel disorders. It also activates intestinal movements and thus helps combat constipation.
Place 1 drop of essential oil on a neutral tablet and take it in the morning to treat nausea and slow digestion. You can also use it diluted to massage the abdomen.
Tarragon essential oil
Tarragon essential oil is a powerful antispasmodic that is highly effective against stress-related difficult digestion. It helps combat stomachaches and intestinal pain, stimulates appetite, and helps in cases of slow digestion and aerophagia.
Dilute 2 drops of essential oil in 20 drops of vegetable oil and massage your stomach twice a day for no more than 2-3 days.
Tropical basil essential oil
It is a powerful antispasmodic that helps combat stomachaches, spasms, and intestinal pain. It is a tonic for the liver and digestion.
Dilute 2 drops of essential oil in 20 drops of vegetable oil and massage your stomach twice a day for no more than 2-3 days.
Combining several essential oils can be twice as effective. You can mix them to combine their benefits, while of course checking the instructions for use for each one. Finally, you can optimize the effects of essential oils by also consuming turmeric, an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial; activated charcoal, which helps absorb gas and toxins; flaxseed oil, considered a gentle laxative; and finally artichoke, a liver protector that helps combat constipation.
Precautions for use
Consuming essential oils is not without risk and requires particular care. Some essential oils are contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children under 6, older people, or people with chronic conditions. When in doubt, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Also find out about the dosage and use of the essential oils you choose. While some cannot be ingested, others cannot be applied to the skin in a massage. Whether taken orally or applied locally, they can cause allergic reactions. In both cases, they should not be used pure, but combined with vegetable oils, honey, or a neutral tablet. This is why essential oils must be used with great caution.
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